VCA Welfare Foundation
The Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation (VCA WF) was formally established in 2000 by the Vizsla Club of America (VCA) Board of Directors to give our breed a recognized charitable structure with 501(c)3 nonprofit status for grant-making purposes. Our mission is to provide enduring financial support to benefit the purebred Vizsla in the areas of health research and rescue. We seek to educate our community regarding the purebred Vizsla’s preservation, betterment, and health as part of our charter. Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are available below.
Without the generous and thoughtful support of so many breeders, owners, handlers and admirers of the Vizsla, the VCA WF could not begin to fulfill our mission to preserve and protect the welfare of the purebred Vizsla.
VCA WF Board of Directors (2022)
Elise Wright, President vcawf2000@gmail.com
Meghan Tallman, Vice-President
Laurie Cummings Cahill, Treasurer & VCA National Rescue Coordinator
Kathy Rust, Secretary
Krista Schroeder, VCA Public Health Coordinator
Les Varga
Lynn Worth-Smith
Directors Emeriti: Pat Carnes, Dee Chuisano, Anne Denehy
VCA WF Veterinary Advisory Committee
Emily M Ansel DVM
Nancy Heinold DVM
Karen Potter DVM
Patricia Carnes Ware DVM
VCA Welfare Funds
The VCA WF manages the Welfare Foundation’s assets among five different funds:
1. Health Fund (for research)
Since 2010, the Health Fund has partnered with the AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF)
to support research that benefits the Vizsla including (but not limited to) hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, mast cell cancer, canine epilepsy, brucellosis, diet-related DCM and temperament studies.
FMor more information about VCA WF sponsored research, please contact the VCA Welfare Foundation at vcawf2000@gmail.com.
» Learn how you can make a tax-deductible donation
2. Rescue Fund (for rescue)
The VCA WF partners with regional Vizsla clubs and independent rescue organizations to support rescue efforts for the purebred Vizsla.
» Learn more about applying for a grant from the VCA WF to support pure bred Vizsla rescue
» Learn how you can make a tax-deductible donation
3. The Frank Lacko Memorial Cancer Research Fund (for cancer research)
Frank Lacko, a longtime Vizsla Club of America member, passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Frank was a well-known and well-regarded sportsman who raised and handled many champion and field-titled Vizslas. Frank and his wife, Martha, have owned, bred, shown, and supported the Vizsla breed for thirty-one years as Toldin Vizslas in both the US and Canada.
The VCA WF is honored to manage this fund in Frank’s memory and takes the responsibility of selecting appropriate research grants very seriously. It is possible that, one day, cancer research in dogs may lead to a cure for human cancers as well.
4. DNA Fund
The DNA Fund is dedicated to fostering the work of the Magyar Vizsla Society. The VCA WF continues to collect blood and build a reference library for the breed’s present and future DNA testing.
5. General Fund (for unspecified funds)
The General Fund exists to manage the Foundation and may be used to provide additional funding for health, rescue and educational initiatives, as needed.
» Learn how you can make a tax-deductible donation
Donate
Click here to donate via PayPal. If no fund is specified, your generous donation will go to the general fund.